Electronic configuration of four elements A, B, C and D are given below: (A) \( 1s^2 2s^2 2p^3 \) → N (B) \( 1s^2 2s^2 2p^4 \) → O (C) \( 1s^2 2s^2 2p^5 \) → F (D) \( 1s^2 2s^2 2p^2 \) → C Which of the following is the correct order of increasing electronegativity (Pauling's scale)?
Show Hint
Just remember "FON" (Fluorine, Oxygen, Nitrogen). These are the three most electronegative elements in the entire periodic table.
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract a shared pair of electrons towards itself. Across a period in the periodic table, electronegativity increases as the nuclear charge increases and the atomic size decreases. Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
All four elements belong to the second period of the periodic table:
- D: Carbon (Group 14, \( Z=6 \))
- A: Nitrogen (Group 15, \( Z=7 \))
- B: Oxygen (Group 16, \( Z=8 \))
- C: Fluorine (Group 17, \( Z=9 \))
Across the period from left to right: C < N < O < F.
[Image of periodic table trend for electronegativity]
Step 3: Final Answer
Following the periodic trend, the correct order is D < A < B < C.